BROMPTON

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This 2018 Brompton M6L Folding Bike in bright Lime green uses the M-Type bar which is Brompton's mid-height handlebar and is the sweet-spot for shorter riders who want to sit upright or average-height riders who want a bike that is both efficient yet comfortable.

The Six Speed Standard Gearing offers all the gears you could ever want for local use plus any travel you wish to do, and comes with super puncture-resistant Schwalbe Marathon tires, front and rear fenders to keep you dry and the awesome Brompton front carrier block for carrying any of the Brompton bags.

Frame, Rear Frame, Fork and Stem all painted in Lime Green

M Type Handlebar - Sweet-spot for shorter riders who want to sit upright or average-height riders who want a bike that is both efficient yet comfortable

6 Speed Standard Gearing (33-100 Gear Inches) - Never get stuck without the right gear - This can be changed to -12% or +8% at no extra charge

Schwalbe Marathon Tires - Pretty much puncture proof

Front and Rear Fenders - Keep you clean and dry whatever the weather

Front Carrier Block - For mounting Brompton bags

New 2018 Brompton Brake Calipers - Redesigned for better power and nicer aesthetics

FREE SHIPPING: This product is part of our exclusive Ride out of the Box shipping service. We professionally assemble, tune your bike and install any accessories you purchase then re-package it carefully for zero-damage shipping. You get a bike that is ready-to-ride and delivered right to your front door.

A BIT ABOUT BROMPTON: If you were to walk into the store and look at a Brompton we would say there are three things you should look for in a folding bike. All of them are fairly obvious. One, the bike should ride well - and, on a small wheeled bike that's tricky because there's a fine line between maneuverability (which is a virtue) and twitchiness (which is a vice). Two, the bike should fold well - otherwise you're blood pressure will rise and you'll curse the day you bought it. Third, it should be transportable, or highly storable - because that's the whole point, right?

Brompton is the only company we've seen that answers all three criteria - and believe us, we've tried every brand out there. The reason others can't compete is because Brompton has answered a fundamental engineering problem. If a bike is going to unfold to a large footprint (which takes the twitch out) then it is unfolding to a bigger bike - and by all logic, a bigger bike unfolded would be a bigger bike folded. So, it's pretty much true that for most folding bikes they either have great rideabilty but poor transportability or vice versa. And nearly all of them are a mess to fold.

Not Brompton. Brompton has designed the Platonic form of all folding bikes. The bike folds to the smallest size on the market, unfolds in a highly precise and easy manner, and has the same axle-to-axle footprint as a hybrid bike. How did they do this? By not only designing a clever frame, but also designing some 1200 proprietary parts that make everything fit - and fit perfectly. Oh, and nearly all of this is made in England. No wonder this bike has a cult following.

Are these bikes really made in London, UK?

Yep, we’ve been to the factory many times and it never ceases to amaze us to see the frames, the paintwork, most of the parts, and the tooling all made in the same factory.

How does Brompton compare to other folding bikes on the market?

Nothing compares. A folding bike is judged by rideability, foldability, and transportability, and Brompton wins on all three (few companies accomplish even one). A Brompton unfolds to a longer footprint (or wheelbase) than a regular bike (making for an exceptionally stable ride), it folds with ease, and folds smaller than every other bike on the market. Most other companies work with a compromise: something that folds ‘small enough’ (but never is), and unfolds ‘big enough’ (but rides scary and skittish).

All these different handlebars! Who is the “M” handlebar for?

Choosing the handlebar is your point of entry when buying a Brompton. It relates to your natural height and your preferred position (upright, sporty, or in between). An upright position is recommended for scenic rides or safety in the city. A sporty position tilts the body over the handlebar for better handling and power. A semi-upright position is ideal for long rides where efficiency needs to be balanced with comfort. If you’re under 5’4” the M-bar will feel bolt upright, if you’re 5’5” to 5’5” to 5’9” the M-bar will feel semi-upright, and if you’re taller than 5’9” the M-bar will feel sporty.

Why do your Brompton’s not have rear-racks?

Brompton is an engineering company, so if they can think of a better way to carry stuff then they will. All of our Bromptons have a front carrier block so you can click a Brompton bag onto it. This bag does not steer with the handlebar (so the performance doesn’t change), and when the bike is in folded or “towing” mode the bag can stay on the bike (unlike the rack). We recommend a rack if you’re going on a long trip and need extra space for more luggage (like the airline-ready B-Bag).

Why six speeds and not three, two, or one?

Good question! After a decade of selling Bromptons we saw two customers: one who bought a Brompton to ride from home to work and wanted to keep it simple, and others who planned epic vacations and needed gears to match. Those in the latter category who later decided to take their bike on a trip discovered the gears were limited. The aftermarket cost of changing a Brompton’s gears is prohibitively high, thus we future-proof our models with the wide-range 6- speed system.

Why does Brompton use a six speed hub and not a Shimano Nexus 8 hub?

Weight. When folded, a Brompton should be easy to carry, so it needs to be lightweight. Internal gears generally weigh 1lb per gear, so adding 8-speeds makes the bike too heavy. Brompton reinvented the wheel (so to speak) and designed a new wide-range 3-speed hub that has the same range as an 8-speed hub but weighs only 3lbs. A lightweight (0.4 lbs) 2-speed derailleur adds “filler gears” between the wide jumps in the 3-speed hub..

Why is a Brompton made of steel?

Unlike a regular bicycle, a folding bike has numerous points of hinges that need to be strong. Steel is 30% stronger than aluminum, and aluminum loses a lot of strength and warps when welded. Brompton is so concerned about frame alignment and strength that they use brass for the weld, not steel. Brass is stickier and melts at a lower temperature, making a stronger frame and perfect alignment.

I have long legs, how can I make this bike fit? Brompton offers two options. One is the extended seatpost which we can switch at no charge. The other is a telescopic post that, unlike the extended post, does not stick out as much when the bike is folded (especially important if you’re putting the bike in a travel case).

I see that Brompton also offers custom bikes. Why would I do that?

All Brompton bikes are custom, including the ones we sell. The bikes we sell are designed to give you a future-proof bike that commutes as well as it travels. If you order custom you must wait 4-6 weeks for delivery, but you can mix colours (the frame can be one colour and the extremities another), add titanium frame-parts (to build the lightest bike at no cost), and option battery-free dynamo lighting. If you think you’re after a custom bike, let us know and we’d be glad to make this happen!

If I fly with a Brompton will it get destroyed?

Nope. The most sensitive parts on a bike is always the drivetrain, and unlike a Dahon, when a Brompton folds the drivetrain parts are on the inside of the fold and are safe. If you like to travel light and aren’t worried about a scratch or two we recommend the Brompton B-Bag (it rolls up and goes on the optional rear rack). If you don’t like scratches, then we recommend the B&W hard cases.

Can I buy a transport case that is also transportable?

Yes, besides the B-Bag - which you can transport on the bike by rolling it up - there is also the B&W Foldon Box, which collapses into a small octagonal box that you can bungee to the optional rear rack.

Does a Brompton break apart when I lift it up? Unlike every other folding bike on the market, a Brompton is mechanically locked together once the seatpost goes down, so when you lift it up it cannot break apart. Most other folding bikes are held together by magnets that are never strong enough to keep the bike together. That means you end up bear-hugging the bike whenever you need to carry it.

Does it have a kickstand?

A Brompton is a kickstand! There is actually a “kickstand position” that is part of the fold. You simply swing the swingarm (the rear part of the frame) up-and-under and viola, your bike is sitting on its own, hands-free.

What is this “towing position”? Is it is novelty?

Heck no! When a bike is folded it must be transportable. At minimum this means it should be light and that the fold doesn’t break apart when lifted. At maximum it means you can tow it, much like a suitcase. When you fold a Brompton to towing position you simply push or pull the handlebars and roll the bike on its auxiliary wheels. Even better, click a front bag on the Brompton and it becomes a shopping cart!

Are small wheels fast?

Yep. In fact, the land speed record for a bicycle was set on a bike with 17” wheels, only one inch larger than Brompton. It’s well-known that a larger wheel’s tire-casing flex, bigger contact patch, and aerodynamic spoke drag reduces any advantage that might be there on paper. One natural advantage of a small wheel is its punchy acceleration and high agility. It’s great for the city, and long adventures too!

Anything else you recommend?

We always recommend some sort of bag that clicks onto the front carrier block. The folding basket is great for groceries, the C-bag is great for the office, and the T-Bag is terrific for big trips (makes a great carry-on bag too). The Brompton toolkit is another must-have. It tucks cleverly into the frame, and helps with punctures or adjustments. But the absolute must-have is the Brompton USB lightset; it provides 300 Lumens of visibility and does not interfere with the fold. For those who might be locking up the bike, we recommend the Bordo folding lock. The Bordo offers great security, and folds into a little pouch that fits on the frame.

What’s the warranty?

Five year warranty for manufacturers defects on frame and fork, two years on parts. Does not include wear and tear.